Eating Fish is Fishy Business

To eat or not to eat fish...now there is a confusing question ! Why is it so?

Contaminants is the answer : mmmm...yummy... mercury, PCBs, dioxins or pesticides found in high levels in a large variety of fish, usually big ones... and yes, they are neurotoxic and carcinogenic.


Recommendations for fish consumption are unclear however the Institute of Medicine recommended the following in 2006 :

- to eat a variety of fish to limit consumption of one particular type of contaminant ;
- to limit two 3-ounce servings of oily fish servings per week but no more than 12 ounces per week for women in childbearing years and young children:
-to limit Albacore (white) to 6 ounces per week.
-to avoid shark, swordfish, tilefish and king mackerel especially by childbearing women and young children.

For an extensive list of fish to consume refer to www.seachoice.org

According to this guide, some of the safest fish choices (mainly farmed varieties which by the way have their own set of problems) are:
- catfish, Pacific cod, herring, pollock, sardines, trout

For more info on this fishy topic:
http://www.ewg.org/node/26309

Why bother eating fish any way?

Fish are a great source of lean protein + they supply an essential fatty acid called omega 3's which has cardiovascular benefits as well humor enhancing benefits...so you may want to complement your diet with fish oil. I personally recommend to consume any kind of fish 1x/week no more than 3 ounces or 90g, the equivalent of one average palm of hand and definetly supplement your diet with fish oil ie Omega 3 capsules !

More on omega 3s next time. Have a great week !

Nutri Cel